Impact absorbing structures for athletic helmet

ABSTRACT

A garment worn by a wearer has an exterior shell and an interior shell with impact absorbing material comprising various structures between the exterior shell and the interior shell. When force is applied to the exterior shell, the structures of the impact absorbing materials deform (e.g., compress), reducing the force received by the interior shell. For example, the impact absorbing material forms structures such as multiple branched “Y” shapes or multiple cylindrical rods with a surface contacting the exterior shell and a surface contacting the interior shell. The interior of the rods and other impact absorbing structures may be filled with a deformable material, such as foam. The impact absorbing material may be formed into jacks, spherical shapes, bristles, intersecting arches, or other shapes positioned between the exterior shell and the interior shell.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/276,793, filed Jan. 8, 2016, which is incorporated by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

A helmet protects a skull of the wearer from collisions with the ground,equipment, and other players. Present helmets were designed with theprimary goal of preventing traumatic skull fractures and other blunttrauma. In general, a helmet includes a hard, rounded shell andcushioning inside the shell. When another object collides with thehelmet, the rounded shape deflects at least some of the forcetangentially while the hard shell distributes the normal force over awider area of the head. Such helmets have been successful at preventingskull fractures but leave the wearer vulnerable to concussions.

A concussion occurs when the skull changes velocity rapidly relative tothe enclosed brain and cerebrospinal fluid. The resulting collisionbetween the brain and the skull results in a brain injury withneurological symptoms such as memory loss. Although the cerebrospinalfluid cushions the brain from small forces, the fluid does not absorball the energy from collisions that arise in sports such as football,hockey, skiing, and biking. Helmets include cushioning to dissipate someof the energy absorbed by the hard shell, but the cushioning isinsufficient to prevent concussions from violent collisions or from thecumulative effects of many lower velocity collisions.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, a helmet includes two generally concentricshells with impact absorbing structures between the shells. The innershell may be somewhat rigid to protect against skull fracture and theouter shell may also somewhat rigid to spread impact forces over a widerarea of the impact absorbing structures positioned inside the outershell, or the outer shell may be more flexible such that impact forceslocally deform the outer shell to transmit forces to a smaller, morelocalized section of the impact absorbing structures positioned insidethe outer shell. The impact absorbing structures are secured between thegenerally concentric shells and have sufficient strength to resistforces from mild collisions. However, the impact absorbing structuresundergo deformation (e.g., buckling) when subjected to forces from asufficiently strong impact force. As a result of the deformation, theimpact absorbing structures reduce energy transmitted from the outershell to the inner shell, thereby reducing forces on the wearer's skulland brain. The impact absorbing structures may also allow the outershell to move independently of the inner shell in a variety of planes ordirections. Thus, impact absorbing structures reduce the incidence andseverity of concussions as a result of sports and other activities. Whenthe outer and inner shell move independently from one another,rotational acceleration, which contributes to concussions, may also bereduced.

The impact absorbing structures may include impact absorbing membersmechanically secured between the outer shell and the inner shell. In oneexample embodiment, an impact absorbing member comprises a column havingone end secured to the inner shell and an opposite end secured to theouter shell. In another example, the impact absorbing member includesthree portions joined at one point to form a branched shape. One of theportions is secured to the inner shell, and the other two portions aresecured to the outer shell, or vice versa. By varying the length, width,and attachment angles of the impact absorbing members, the helmetmanufacturer can control the threshold amount of force that results indeformation.

Alternatively, the impact absorbing structure may be secured to only oneof the shells. When deformation occurs, the impact absorbing structurecontacts an opposite shell or an impact absorbing structure secured tothe opposite shell. Once the impact absorbing structure makes contact,the overall stiffness of the helmet increases, and the impact absorbingstructure deforms to absorb energy. For example, ends of intersectingarches, bristles, or jacks are attached to the inner shell, the outershell, or both.

The impact absorbing structures may also be packed between the inner andouter shells without necessarily being secured to either the inner shellor outer shell. The space between the impact absorbing structures may befilled with air or a cushioning material (e.g., foam) that furtherabsorbs energy and prevents the impact absorbing structures fromrattling if they are not secured to either shell. The packed arrangementof the impact absorbing structures simplifies manufacturing withoutreducing the overall effectiveness of the helmet.

The helmet may include modular rows to facilitate manufacturing. Amodular row includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and impactabsorbing structures between the inner and outer surfaces. A modular rowis relatively thin and flat compared to the assembled helmet, whichreduces the complexity of forming the impact absorbing structuresbetween the modular row's inner and outer surfaces. For example, themodular rows may be formed by injection molding, fusible core injectionmolding, or a lost wax process, techniques which may not be feasible formolding the entire impact absorbing structures in its final form. Whenassembled, the inner surfaces of the modular rows may form part of theinner shell, and the outer surfaces of the modular rows may form part ofthe outer shell. Alternatively or additionally, the modular rows may beassembled between an innermost shell and an outermost shell thatlaterally secure the modular rows and radially contain them.Alternatively or additionally, adjacent rows may be laterally secured toeach other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly of impact absorbingstructures formed from modular rows, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a modular row, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modular row, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an impact absorbing member having a branchedshape, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of impact absorbing structures includingintersecting arches, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an opposing arrangement of the impactabsorbing structures of FIG. 5A, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of impact absorbing structures includingintersecting arches connected by a column, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a helmet including impact absorbingstructures having a spherical wireframe shape, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 6B is a plan view of an impact absorbing structure included in thehelmet of FIG. 6A, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6C is a perspective view of an impact absorbing structure includedin the helmet of FIG. 6A, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of a helmet including impact absorbingstructures having a jack shape, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7B is a plan view of an impact absorbing structure included in thehelmet of FIG. 7A, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of an impact absorbing structure includedin the helmet of FIG. 7A, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of a helmet including impact absorbingstructures having a bristle shape, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of an impact absorbing structureincluded in the helmet of FIG. 8A, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8C is a perspective view of an impact absorbing structure includedin the helmet of FIG. 8A, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an impact absorbingstructure having a conical structure, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an impact absorbingstructure having a base portion and angled support portions, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an impact absorbingstructure having a cylindrical member coupled to multiple planarsurfaces, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an impact absorbingstructure having a base portion to which multiple supplemental portionsare coupled, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a conical impactabsorbing structure, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of an alternative impact absorbingstructure, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a side view of an impact absorbing structure having archedstructures, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective and cross-sectional view of an embodiment of animpact absorbing structure comprising a cylindrical structure enclosinga conical structure, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an impact absorbing structure, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 17A-17C show perspective views of impact absorbing structurescomprising connected support members, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 18-20 show example structural groups including multiple supportmembers positioned relative to each other with different support memberscoupled to each other by connecting members, in accordance with anembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Modular Helmet

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly 100 of impact absorbingstructures formed from modular rows 110, 120, and 130, in accordancewith an embodiment. In general, a modular row includes an inner surface,an outer surface, and impact absorbing structures between the innersurface and the outer surface. The modular row may further include aprotective layer (e.g., foam) less rigid than the impact absorbingstructures that encloses a remaining volume between the inner surfaceand outer surface after formation of the impact absorbing structures.When a helmet including the assembly 100 is worn, the inner surface iscloser to the user's skull than the outer surface. Optionally, themodular row includes end surfaces connecting the short edges of theinner surface to the short edges of the outer surface. The innersurface, outer surface, and end surfaces form a slice with two parallelflat sides and an arc or bow shape on two other opposing sides. The endsurfaces may be parallel to each other or angled relative to each other.The modular rows include one or more base modular rows 110, crownmodular rows 120, and rear modular rows 130. The assembly 100 mayinclude further shells, such as an innermost shell, an outermost shell,or both, that secure the modular rows relative to each other and capturethe structure between the innermost and outermost shells when assembledfor durability and impact resistance.

The base modular row 110 encircles the wearer's skull at approximatelythe same vertical level as the user's brow. The crown modular rows 120are stacked horizontally on top of the base modular row 110 so that thelong edges of the inner and outer surfaces form parallel verticalplanes. The end surfaces of the crown modular rows 120 rest on a topplane of the base modular row. The outer surfaces of the crown modularrows 120 converge with the outer surface of the base modular row 110 toform a rounded outer shell. Likewise, the inner surfaces of the crownmodular rows 120 converge with the inner surface of the base modular row110 to form a rounded inner shell. Thus, the crown modular rows 120 andbase modular row 110 form concentric inner and outer shells protectingthe wearer's upper head. The outer surface of a crown modular row 120may form a ridge 122 raised relative to the rest of the outer surface.The ridge 122 may improve distribution of impact forces or facilitate aconnection between two halves (e.g., left and right halves) of anoutermost layer of a helmet including assembly 100.

The rear modular rows 130 are stacked vertically under a rear portion ofthe base modular row 110 so that the long edges of the inner and outersurfaces form parallel horizontal planes. The inner surface of thetopmost rear modular row 130 forms a seam with the inner surface of thebase modular row 110, and the outer surface of the topmost rear modularrow 130 forms a seam with the outer surface of the base modular row 110.Thus, the rear modular rows 130 and the rear portion of the base modularrow 110 form concentric inner and outer shells protecting the wearer'srear lower head and upper neck.

Modular Row

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base modular row 110, in accordancewith an embodiment. The base modular row 110 includes two concentricsurfaces 103 (e.g., an inner surface and an outer surface), endsurfaces, and impact absorbing structures 105.

As illustrated, the impact absorbing structures 105 are columnar impactabsorbing member is mechanically secured to both concentric surfaces103. An end of the impact absorbing structure 105 may be mechanicallysecured to a concentric surface 103 as a result of integral formation,by a fastener, by an adhesive, by an interlocking end portion (e.g., apress fit), another technique, or a combination thereof. An end of theimpact absorbing member is secured perpendicularly to the local plane ofthe concentric surface 103 in order to maximize resistance to normalforce. However, one or more of the impact absorbing members may besecured at another angle to modify the resistance to normal force or toimprove resistance to torque due to friction between an object and theoutermost surface of a helmet including assembly 100. The critical forcethat buckles the impact absorbing member increases with the diameter ofthe impact absorbing member and decreases with the length of the impactabsorbing member.

Generally, an impact absorbing member has a circular cross section toeliminate stress concentration along edges, but other cross-sectionalshapes (e.g., squares, hexagons) may be used to simplify manufacturingor modify performance characteristics. Generally, an impact absorbingstructure is formed from a compliant, yet strong material such as anelastomeric substrate such as hard durometer plastic (e.g.,polyurethane, silicone) and may include a core of a softer material suchas open or closed-cell foam (e.g., polyurethane, polystyrene) or fluid(e.g., air). After forming the impact absorbing members, a remainingvolume between the concentric surfaces 103 (that is not filled by theimpact absorbing members) may be filled with a softer material such asfoam or a fluid (e.g., air).

The concentric surfaces 103 are curved to form an overall rounded shape(e.g., spherical, ellipsoidal) when assembled into a helmet shape. Theconcentric surfaces 103 and end surfaces 104 may be formed from amaterial that has properties stiffer than the impact absorbing memberssuch as hard plastic, foam, metal, or a combination thereof, or formedfrom the same material as the impact absorbing members. To facilitatemanufacturing of the base modular row 110, a living hinge technique maybe used. The base modular row 110 may be manufactured as an initiallyflat modular row, where the long edges of the concentric surfaces 103form two parallel planes. For example, the base modular row 110 isformed by injection molding the concentric surfaces 103, the endsurfaces 104, and the impact absorbing structures 105. The base modularrow 110 may then be bent to form a living hinge. The living hinge may becreated by injection molding a thin section of plastic between adjacentstructures. The plastic is injected into the mold such that the plasticfills the mold by crossing the hinge in a direction transverse to theaxis of the hinge, thereby forming polymer strands perpendicular to thehinge, thereby creating a hinge that is robust to cracking ordegradation.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modular row 110, in accordance with anembodiment. The modular row 110 has a beveled edge with a cross-sectionthat tapers from a base to an edge along which the impact absorbingmembers 305 are secured. For example, the modular row 110 has apentagonal cross section where the impact absorbing members 305 aremechanically secured along an edge formed opposite the base of thepentagonal cross-section. The pentagon has two perpendicular sidesextending away from the base of the pentagon to two sides that convergeat an edge to which the impact absorbing members 305 are secured. Asanother example, the modular row 110 has a triangular cross section(e.g., isosceles triangle), and the impact absorbing members 305 aresecured along an edge opposite the base of the triangular cross-section.Relative to a rectangular cross-section, the tapered cross-sectionreduces the mass to secure the impact absorbing members 305 to the baseof the modular row 110. The base of the modular row 110 is generallywider than an impact absorbing member 305 in order to form a shell whenassembled with adjacent modular rows 110. The general benefit of formingthe base of the rows in this manner is to increase moldability of thesestructures.

Branched Impact Absorbing Members

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an impact absorbing member 405 having abranched shape, in accordance with an embodiment. The impact absorbingmember 405 includes a base portion 410 and two branched portions 415.The base portion 410 and the branched portions 415 are joined at oneend. Opposite ends of the branched portions 415 are secured to one ofthe concentric surfaces 103, and the opposite end of the base portion410 is secured to an opposite one of the concentric surfaces. Varyingthe angle between the branched portions 415 modifies the critical forceto buckle the impact absorbing member 405. For example, increasing theangle between the branched portions 415 decreases the critical force.Generally, the angle between the branched portions 415 is between 30°and 120°. The impact absorbing structure 405 may include additionalbranched portions 415. For example, impact absorbing structure 405includes three branched portions 415, one of which is parallel to thebase portion 410.

Impact Absorbing Structures Including Intersecting Arches

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of impact absorbing structures 505including intersecting arches, in accordance with an embodiment. In theillustrated example, an impact absorbing structure 505 includes twoarches which each form half a circle. The portions intersectperpendicular to each other at an apex of the impact absorbing structure505. However, other variations are possible, such as an impact absorbingstructure 505 including three arches intersecting at angles of about60°, four arches intersecting at angles of about 45°, or a single arch.In general, having two or more intersecting arches causes the impactabsorbing structure 505 to have a more uniform rigidity and yield stressfrom torques having different lateral directions relative to a singlearch. As another example, the impact absorbing structure 505 may form adome having a uniform resistance to torques from different lateraldirections, but use of distinct intersecting arches decreases the weightof the impact absorbing structure 505. Compared to a dome, the gapsbetween the arches in the impact absorbing structure 505 facilitateinjection of foam or another less rigid material inside of the impactabsorbing structure 505 to further dissipate energy.

The ends of the arches are mechanically secured to the surface 510,which may be a concentric surface 103 of a modular row or an inner orouter shell. The surface 510 may form an indentation 515 having across-sectional shape corresponding to (and aligned with) a projectionof the impact absorbing structure 505 onto the surface 510. Theindentation extends at least partway through the surface 510. Forexample, the indentation 515 has a cross-section of a cross to match theperpendicularly intersecting arches of the impact absorbing structure505 secured above the indentation. When the impact absorbing structure505 deforms as a result of a compressive force, the impact absorbingstructure 505 may deflect into the indentation 515. As a result, theimpact absorbing member 505 has a greater range of motion, resulting inabsorption of more energy (from deformation) and slower deceleration.Without the indentation 515, a compressive force could cause the impactabsorbing structure 505 to directly contact the surface 510, resultingin a sudden increase in stiffness that would limit further gradualdeceleration of the impact absorbing structure 505.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an opposing arrangement of the impactabsorbing 505 structures of FIG. 5A, in accordance with an embodiment.An upper set of impact absorbing structures 505 is secured to an outersurface 510A, and a lower set of impact absorbing structures 515 issecured to an inner surface 510B. The impact absorbing structures 505may be aligned to horizontally overlap apexes of opposing impactabsorbing structures 505, or the impact absorbing structures 505 may bealigned to horizontally offset apexes of impact absorbing structures 505on the outer surface 510A and inner surface 510B. In the verticallyaligned arrangement, the distance between the inner and outer surfacesis increased, which provides more room for deformation of the impactabsorbing structures 505 to absorb energy from a collision. In theoffset arrangement, the distance between the inner and outer surfaces510 is reduced, and the area of contact between oppositely alignedimpact absorbing structures 505 is increased. Although the outer surface510A and the inner surface 510B are illustrated as being planar, theymay be curved, as in a modular row or a concentric shell arrangement. Insuch a case, the outer surface 510A may include more impact absorbingstructures 505 than the inner surface 510B, or the impact absorbingstructures 505 of the outer surface 510A may be horizontally enlargedrelative to those on the inner surface 510B.

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of impact absorbing structures 555including intersecting arches 560 connected by a column 565, inaccordance with an embodiment. The intersecting arches 560 may beintersecting arches, such as the impact absorbing structures 505. Thecolumn 565 may be similar to the impact absorbing members 105 and 305.As illustrated, the opposite ends of a column 565 are perpendicularlyconnected to two vertically aligned intersecting arches 560. Because thecolumns 565 are subject to different types of deformation relative tothe intersecting arches (e.g., buckling and deflection), the impactabsorbing structure 555 may have two or more critical forces that resultin deformation of different components of the impact absorbing structure555. In this way, the impact absorbing structure 555 may dissipateenergy from a collision in multiple stages through multiple mechanisms.In other embodiments, the impact absorbing structures 505 and 555 mayinclude any of the impact absorbing structures described with respect toFIGS. 6A through 8C.

Packed Impact Absorbing Structures

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a helmet 600 including impactabsorbing structures 615 having a spherical wireframe shape, inaccordance with an embodiment. FIG. 6B is a plan view of the impactabsorbing structure 615 included in the helmet 600, in accordance withan embodiment. FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the impact absorbingstructure 615 included in the helmet 600, in accordance with anembodiment.

The helmet 600 includes an outer shell 605, an inner shell 610, andimpact absorbing structures 615 disposed between the outer shell 605 andthe inner shell 610. The impact absorbing structures 615 are formed fromperpendicularly interlocked rings that together form a sphericalwireframe shape. Although the illustrated impact absorbing structures615 include three mutually orthogonal rings, other structures arepossible. For example, the number of longitudinal rings may be increasedto improve the uniformity of the impact absorbing structure's responseto forces from different directions. However, increasing the number ofrings increases the weight of the impact absorbing structure 615 anddecreases the space between the rings, which hinders filling an internalvolume of the impact absorbing structure 615 with a less rigid materialsuch as foam.

The helmet 600 further includes a facemask 620, which protects a face ofthe wearer while allowing visibility, and vent holes 625, which improveuser comfort by enabling air circulation to the user's skin. Forexample, the helmet 600 forms the vent holes 625 near the user's ears toimprove propagation of sound waves. The vent holes 625 further serve toreduce moisture and sweat accumulating in the helmet 600. In someembodiments, the helmet includes a screen or mesh (e.g., from metalwire) placed over a vent hole 625 to reduce penetration by particles(e.g., soil, sand, snow) and to prevent penetration by blunt objectsduring collisions.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of a helmet 700 including impactabsorbing structures 715 having a jack shape, in accordance with anembodiment. FIG. 7B is a plan view of the impact absorbing structure 715included in the helmet 700, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 7C isa perspective view of the impact absorbing structure 715 included in thehelmet 700, in accordance with an embodiment.

The helmet 700 includes an outer shell 605, an inner shell 610, impactabsorbing structures 715 disposed between the outer shell 605 and theinner shell 610, a face mask 620, and vent holes 625. As illustrated, animpact absorbing structure 715 has a jack shape formed by threeorthogonally intersecting bars, which connect a central point to facesof an imaginary cube enclosing the impact absorbing structure 715.Alternatively, the impact absorbing structures may include additionalbars intersecting at a central point, such as bars that connect thecentral point to faces of an enclosing tetrahedron or octahedron.Compared to impact absorbing structures with a column shape, the impactabsorbing structures 715 may have increased resistance to forces frommultiple directions, particularly torques due to friction in acollision.

The impact absorbing structures 615 or 715 may be mechanically securedto the outer shell 605, the inner shell 610, or both. However,mechanically securing the impact absorbing structures 615 or 715increase manufacturing complexity and may be obviated by filling thevolume between the outer shell 605 and inner shell 610 with anothermaterial. This other material may secure the impact absorbing structures615 relative to each other and the inner and outer shells, whichprevents bothersome rattling.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of a helmet 800 including impactabsorbing structures 815 having a bristle shape, in accordance with anembodiment. FIG. 8B is a plan view of the impact absorbing structure 815included in the helmet 800, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 8C isa perspective view of the impact absorbing structure 815 included in thehelmet 800, in accordance with an embodiment.

The helmet 800 includes an outer shell 605, an inner shell 610, impactabsorbing structures 815 disposed between the outer shell 605 and theinner shell 610, a face mask 620, and vent holes 625. As illustrated, animpact absorbing structure 815 has a bristle shape with multiplebristles arranged perpendicular to outer shell 605, inner shell 610, orboth. The impact absorbing structure 815 further includes holes having asame diameter as the bristles. As illustrated, the holes and bristles ofthe impact absorbing structure are arranged in an array structure withthe bristles and holes alternating across rows and columns of the array.The impact absorbing structure may include a base pad secured to theshell 605 or 610. The base pad secures the bristles and forms the holes.Alternatively, the shells 605 and 610 serve as base structures thatsecure the bristles and forms the holes. Impact absorbing structures 815on the shells 605 and 610 are aligned oppositely and may be offset sothat bristles of an upper impact absorbing structure 815 are alignedwith holes of the lower impact absorbing structure 815, and vice versa.In this way, the ends of bristles may be laterally secured when theopposing impact absorbing structures 815 are assembled between the outershell 605 and the inner shell 610.

In some embodiments, the impact absorbing structures 615, 715, or 815are secured in a ridge that protrudes from an outer shell of the helmet100 (e.g., like a mohawk). In this way, the ridge may absorb energy froma collision before the force is transmitted to the outer shell of thehelmet 100.

Additional Impact Absorbing Structures

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an impact absorbingstructure 910 having a conical structure. In the example shown by FIG.9, the impact absorbing structure 910 has a circular base 915 coupled toa circular top 920 via a conical structure 925. As shown in FIG. 9, aportion of the conical structure 925 coupled to the circular base 915has a smaller diameter than an additional portion of the conicalstructure 925 coupled to the circular top 920 of the impact absorbingstructure 910. In various embodiments, the interior of the conicalstructure 925 is hollow. Alternatively, a less rigid material, such asfoam, may be injected into the interior of the conical structure 925 tofurther dissipate energy from an impact. In various embodiments, thecircular base 915 is configured to be coupled to an inner shell of ahelmet, while the circular top 920 is configured to be coupled to anouter shell of a helmet, such as the helmet described above inconjunction with FIGS. 6A, 7A, and 8A Alternatively, the circular base915 is configured to be coupled to an outer shell of a helmet, while thecircular top 920 is configured to be coupled to an inner shell of ahelmet, such as the helmet described above in conjunction with FIGS. 6A,7A, and 8A

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an impact absorbingstructure 1005 having a base portion 1010 and angled support portions1015A, 1015B (also referred to individually and collectively usingreference number 1015). The impact absorbing structure 405 includes abase portion 410 and two branched portions 415. The base portion 1010 iscoupled to each of the concentric surfaces 103 further described abovein conjunction with FIG. 2, while a support portion 1015A has an endcoupled to the base portion 1010 and another end coupled to one or theconcentric surfaces 103. In the example shown by FIG. 10, each baseportion 1010 has two support portions 1015A coupled to the base portion1010 and to one of the concentric surfaces 103 and also has twoadditional support portions 1015B coupled to the base portion 1010 andto the other concentric surface 103. However, in other embodiments, thebase portion 1010 has any suitable number of support portions 1015coupled to the base portion 1010 and to one of the concentric surfaces103. In some embodiments, the base portion includes different numbers ofsupport portions 1015 coupled to the base portion and to a concentricsurface 103 and coupled to the other concentric surface 103.

A support portion 1015 is coupled to the base portion 1010 at an angleand is coupled to a concentric surface 103 at an additional angle. Invarious embodiments, the angle equals the additional angle. Varying theangle at which the support portion 1015 is coupled to the base portion1010 or the additional angle at which the support portion 1015 iscoupled to the concentric surface 103 modifies a critical force that,when applied, cause the impact absorbing member 1005 to buckle.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an impact absorbingstructure 1105 having a cylindrical member coupled to multiple planarsurfaces 1115A, 1115B (also referred to individually and collectivelyusing reference number 1115). In the example shown by FIG. 9, thecylindrical member has a vertical portion 1112 having a height andhaving a circular base 1110 at one end. At an opposite end of thevertical portion 1112 from the circular base 110, multiple planarsurfaces 1115A, 1115B are coupled to the vertical portion 1112.Different planar surfaces 1115 are separated by a distance 1120. Forexample, FIG. 11 shows planar surface 1115A separated from planarsurface 1115B by the distance 1120. In various embodiments, each planarsurface 1115 is separated from an adjacent planar surface 1115 by acommon distance 1120; alternatively, different planar surfaces 1115 areseparated from other planar surfaces 1115 by different distances 1120.Each planar surface 1115 has a width 1125, while FIG. 11 shows anembodiment where the width 1125 of each planar surface 1115 is the same,different planar surfaces 1115 may have different widths in 1125 inother embodiments. The planar surfaces 1115 are coupled to the oppositeend of the vertical portion 1112 of the cylindrical member than thecircular base 1110 around a circumference of the cylindrical member.Additionally, the circular base 1110 is configured to be coupled to anouter shell of a helmet, while ends of the planar surfaces 1115A, 1115Bnot coupled to the vertical portion of the cylindrical member areconfigured to be coupled to an inner shell of a helmet, such as thehelmet described above in conjunction with FIGS. 6A, 7A, and 8A.Alternatively, the circular base 1110 is configured to be coupled to aninner shell of a helmet, while ends of the planar surfaces 1115A, 1115Bnot coupled to the vertical portion of the cylindrical member areconfigured to be coupled to an outer shell of a helmet, such as thehelmet described above in conjunction with FIGS. 6A, 7A, and 8A In otherembodiments, the circular base 1110 is configured to be coupled to aconcentric surface 103 and the ends of the planar surfaces 1115A, 1115Bnot coupled to the vertical portion of the cylindrical member areconfigured to be coupled to another concentric surface 103.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an impact absorbingstructure 1205 having a base portion 1210 to which multiple supplementalportions 1215A, 1215B (also referred to individually and collectivelyusing reference number 1215) are coupled. Support portions 1220A, 1220B(also referred to individually and collectively using reference number1220) are coupled to a concentric surface 103 and to a supplementalportion 1215A, 1215B. As shown in FIG. 12, an end of a supplementalportion 1215A is coupled to the base portion 1210, while an opposing endof the supplemental portion 1215A is coupled to a support portion 1220A.The support portion 1220A has an end coupled to the opposing end of thesupplemental portion 1215A, while another end of the support portion1220A is coupled to a concentric surface 103. In various embodiments, anend of the base portion 1210 and the other ends of the support portions1220 are each coupled to a common concentric surface 103, while anopposing end of the base portion 1210 is coupled to a differentconcentric surface 103.

Any number of supplemental portions 1215 may be coupled to the baseportion 1210 of the impact absorbing structure in various embodiments.Additionally, the supplemental portions 1215 are coupled to the baseportion 1210 at an angle relative to an axis parallel to the baseportion 1210. In some embodiments, each supplemental portion 1215 iscoupled to the base portion 1210 at a common angle relative to the axisparallel to the base portion 1210. Alternatively, different supplementalportions 1215 are coupled to the base portion 1210 at different anglesrelative to the axis parallel to the base portion 1210. Similarly, eachsupport portion 1220 is coupled to a supplemental portion 1215 at anangle relative to an axis parallel to the supplemental portion 1215. Insome embodiments, each support portion 1220 is coupled to acorresponding supplemental portion 1215 at a common angle relative tothe axis parallel to the supplemental portion 1215. Alternatively,different support portions 1220 are coupled to a correspondingsupplemental portion 1215 at different angles relative to the axisparallel to the corresponding supplemental portion 1215.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a conical impactabsorbing structure 1305. The conical impact absorbing structure 1305has a circular base 1315 and an additional circular base 1320 that has asmaller diameter than the circular base 1315. A vertical member 1310 iscoupled to the circumference of the circular base 1315 and to acircumference of the additional circular base 1320. Hence, a width ofthe vertical member 1310 is larger nearer to the circular base 1315 andis smaller nearer to the additional circular base 1320. The circularbase 1315 is configured to be coupled to a concentric surface 103, whilethe additional circular base 1320 is configured to be coupled to anadditional concentric surface 103. In the example shown by FIG. 13A, thevertical member 1310 is hollow. Alternatively, a less rigid material,such as foam, may be injected into the interior of the vertical member1310 to further dissipate energy from an impact.

FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of an alternative impact absorbingstructure 1330. In the example shown by FIG. 13B, the alternative impactabsorbing structure 1330 has a circular base 1340 and an additionalcircular base 1345 that each have a common diameter. A vertical member1350 is coupled to the circular base 1340 and to the additional circularbase 1345. Because the diameter of the circular base 1340 equals thediameter of the additional circular base 1345, the vertical member 1350has a uniform width between the circular base 1340 and the additionalcircular base 1345. In the example of FIG. 13B, the vertical member 1350is hollow. Alternatively, a less rigid material, such as foam, may beinjected into the interior of the vertical member 1350 to furtherdissipate energy from an impact. The circular base 1345 is configured tobe coupled to a concentric surface 103, while the additional circularbase 1350 is configured to be coupled to an additional concentricsurface 103.

FIG. 14 is a side view of an impact absorbing structure 1405 havingarched structures 1410A, 1410B. In the example shown by FIG. 4, theimpact absorbing structure 1405 has an arched structure 1410A coupled toa concentric surface 103 at an end and coupled to another concentricsurface 103 at an opposing end. Similarly, an additional archedstructure 1410B is coupled to the concentric surface 103 at an end,while an opposing end of the additional arched structure 1410B iscoupled to the other concentric surface 103. A bracing member 1415 ispositioned in a plane parallel to the concentric surface 103 and theother concentric surface 103. An end of the bracing member 1415 iscoupled to the arched structure 1410A, while an opposing end of thebracing member 1415 is coupled to the additional arched structure 1410B.In various embodiments, the end of the bracing member 1415 is coupled tothe arched structure 1410A at an apex of the arched structure 1410Brelative to an axis perpendicular to the bracing member 1415. Similarly,the opposing end of the bracing member 1415 is coupled to the additionalarched structure 1410B at an apex of the additional arched structure1410B relative to the axis perpendicular to the bracing member 1415.However, in other embodiments, the bracing member 1415 may be coupled toany suitable portions of the arched structure 1410A and the additionalarched structure 1410B along a plane parallel to the concentric surface103 and the other concentric surface 103.

Additionally, a supporting structure 1420A is coupled to a portion of asurface of the bracing member 1415 and to an additional portion of thesurface of the bracing member 1415. Similarly, an additional supportingstructure 1420B is coupled to a portion of an additional surface of thebracing member 1415 that is parallel to the surface of the bracingmember 1415 and to an additional portion of the additional surface ofthe bracing member 1415. As shown in FIG. 14, the supporting structure1420A is arched between the portion of the surface of the bracing member1415 and the additional portion of the surface of the bracing member1415. Similarly, the additional supporting structure 1420B is archedbetween the portion of the additional surface of the bracing member 1415and the additional portion of the additional surface of the bracingmember 1415.

FIG. 15 is a perspective and cross-sectional view of an embodiment of animpact absorbing structure 1505 comprising a cylindrical structure 1510enclosing a conical structure 1515. In the example shown by FIG. 15, theimpact absorbing structure 1505 has a cylindrical structure 1510 havingan interior wall 1535 and an exterior wall. The cylindrical structure1510 encloses a conical structure 1515 having a circular base 1520 atone end and an additional circular base 1525 at an opposing end. Invarious embodiments, the cylindrical structure 1510 and the conicalstructure 1515 each have different durometers, so the cylindricalstructure 1510 and the conical structure 1515 have different hardnesses.Alternatively, the cylindrical structure 1510 and the conical structure1515 have a common hardness. The additional circular base 1525 has asmaller diameter than the circular base 1520. Additionally, the interiorwall 1535 of the cylindrical structure 1510 tapers from a portion of thecylindrical structure 1510 nearest the additional circular base 1525 ofthe conical structure 1515 to being coupled to a circumference of thecircular base 1520 of the conical structure 1515. In some embodiments,such as shown in FIG. 15, a height of the conical structure 1515 isgreater than a height of the cylindrical structure 1510, so theadditional circular base 1525 of the conical structure 1515 protrudesabove the cylindrical structure 1510. Alternatively, the height of theconical structure 1515 equals the height of the cylindrical structure1510, so a top of the cylindrical structure 1510 is in a common plane asthe additional circular base 1525 of the conical structure 1515.Alternatively, the height of the conical structure 1515 is less than theheight of the cylindrical structure 1510. As an additional example, theconical structure 1515 and the cylindrical structure 1510 have equalheights. In various embodiments, the circular base 1520 of the conicalstructure 1515 is configured to be coupled to an inner shell of ahelmet, while the additional circular base 1525 of the conical structure1515 is configured to be coupled to an outer shell of a helmet, such asthe helmet described above in conjunction with FIGS. 6A, 7A, and 8A.Alternatively, the circular base 1520 of the conical structure 1515 isconfigured to be coupled to an outer shell of a helmet, while theadditional circular base 1525 of the conical structure 1515 isconfigured to be coupled to an inner shell of a helmet, such as thehelmet described above in conjunction with FIGS. 6A, 7A, and 8A

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of an impact absorbing structure 1605. Inthe example shown by FIG. 16, the impact absorbing structure 1605 is asurface that undulates in a plane perpendicular to a plane including aconcentric surface 103 and is coupled at one end to the concentricsurface 103 and is coupled at an opposing end to an additionalconcentric surface 103. For example, the impact absorbing structure 1605has a sinusoidal cross section in a plane parallel to the planeincluding the concentric surface 103. However, in other embodiments, theimpact absorbing structure 1605 has any suitable profile in a crosssection along the plane parallel to the plane including the concentricsurface 103.

FIGS. 17A-17C show perspective views of impact absorbing structures1700A, 1700B, 1700C comprising connected support members 1705, 1710.Each support member 1705, 1710 has an end configured to be coupled to aconcentric surface 103 and an opposing end configured to be coupled toanother concentric surface 103. A support member 1705 is coupled to theother support member 1710 by a connecting element that is in a planeperpendicular to a plane including the concentric surface 103, or in aplane perpendicular to another plane including the other concentricsurface 103. In the example of FIG. 17A, an impact absorbing structure1700A includes a rectangular structure 1715A connecting the supportmember 1705 to the other support member 1710 and perpendicular to theconcentric surface 103 and to the other concentric surface 103. Invarious embodiments, an end of the rectangular structure 1715A iscoupled to the concentric surface 103, while an opposite end of therectangular structure 1715A is coupled to the other concentric surface103.

FIG. 17B shows an impact absorbing structure 1700B including an archedstructure 1715B connecting the support member 1705 to the other supportmember 1710. The arched structure 1715B is perpendicular to theconcentric surface 103 and to the other concentric surface 103 and isarched in a plane that is parallel to the concentric surface 103 and tothe other concentric surface 103. In various embodiments, an end of thearched structure 1715B is coupled to the concentric surface 103, whilean opposite end of the arched structure 1715B is coupled to the otherconcentric surface 103.

FIG. 17C shows an impact absorbing structure 1700B including anundulating structure 1715C connecting the support member 1705 to theother support member 1710. The undulating structure 1715C isperpendicular to the concentric surface 103 and to the other concentricsurface 103 and includes multiple arcs in a plane that is parallel tothe concentric surface 103 and to the other concentric surface 103. Forexample, the undulating structure 1715C has a sinusoidal cross sectionin a plane parallel to the plane including a concentric surface 103. Invarious embodiments, an end of the undulating structure 1715C is coupledto the concentric surface 103, while an opposite end of the undulatingstructure 1715C is coupled to the other concentric surface 103.

While FIGS. 17A-17C show examples of impact absorbing structures where apair of support members are coupled to each other by a connectingmember, any number of support members may be positioned relative to eachother and different pairs of the support members connected to each otherby connecting members to form structural groups. FIGS. 18-20 showexample structural groups including multiple support members positionedrelative to each other with different support members coupled to eachother by connecting members. FIG. 18 shows an impact absorbing structure1800 having a central support member 1805 coupled to three radialsupport members 1810A, 1810B, 1810C that are positioned along acircumference of a circle having an origin at the central support member1805. The central support member 1800 is coupled to radial supportmember 1810A by connecting member 1815A and is coupled to radial supportmember 1810B by connecting member 1815B. Similarly, the central supportmember 1800 is coupled to radial support member 1810C by connectingmember 1815C. While FIG. 18 shows an example where the connecting member1815A, 1815B, 1815C are rectangular, while in other embodiments, theconnecting members 1815A, 1815B, 1815C may be arched structures orundulating structures as described in FIGS. 17B and 17C or may have anyother suitable cross section.

FIGS. 19A and 19B show perspective views of an impact absorbingstructure 1900A, 1900B comprising six support members coupled to eachother by connecting members to form a hexagon. In the example shown byFIG. 19A, the impact absorbing structure 1900A has pairs of supportmembers coupled to each other via rectangular connecting members to forma hexagon. The impact absorbing structure 1900B shown by FIG. 19B haspairs of support members coupled to each other via undulating supportmembers to form a hexagon.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an impact absorbing structure 2000comprising rows of offset support members coupled together viaconnecting members. In the example of FIG. 20, support members arepositioned in multiple parallel rows 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040, withsupport members in a row offset from each other so support members inadjacent rows are not in a common plane parallel to the adjacent rows.For example, support members in row 2010 are positioned so they are notin a common plane parallel to support members in row 2020. As shown inthe example of FIG. 20, a support member in row 2020 is positioned so itis between support members in row 2010. Connecting members connectsupport members in a row 2010 to support members in an adjacent row2020. In some embodiments, support members in a row 2010 are notconnected to other support members in the row 2010, but are connected toa support member in an adjacent row 2020 via a support member 2015.

Although described throughout with respect to a helmet, the impactabsorbing structures described herein may be applied with other garmentssuch as padding, braces, and protectors for various joints and bones.

Additional Configuration Considerations

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the disclosure has beenpresented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed.Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the abovedisclosure.

The language used in the specification has been principally selected forreadability and instructional purposes, and it may not have beenselected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Itis therefore intended that the scope of the disclosure be limited not bythis detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on anapplication based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments areintended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of thedisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A helmet comprising: an inner shell formed topartially enclose a portion of a wearer's head; an outer shell enclosingthe portion of the wearer's head concentrically with the inner shell;and a plurality of impact absorbing structures partially filling avolume between the inner shell and the outer shell, an impact absorbingstructure having a proximal end contacting the inner shell and a distalend contacting the outer shell.
 2. The helmet of claim 1, wherein theimpact absorbing structure comprises: a base portion having an endcoupled to the inner shell; and a plurality of branched portions, eachbranched portion having an end coupled to the outer shell of the helmetto form an angle between the branched portions, and each branchedportion having an additional end coupled to an additional end of thebase portion opposite the end of the base portion coupled to the innershell.
 3. The helmet of claim 2, wherein the angle between the branchedportions is between 30 degrees and 120 degrees.
 4. The helmet of claim1, wherein the impact absorbing structure comprises two arches thatintersect perpendicular to each other at an apex of the impact absorbingstructure, each arch forming half a circle and secured to the innershell of the helmet.
 5. The helmet of claim 4, wherein the inner shellof the helmet has an indentation aligned with a projection of the impactabsorbing structure on the surface, the indentation having across-sectional shape corresponding to the impact absorbing structure.6. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the impact absorbing structurecomprises three arches that intersect perpendicular to each other at anapex of the impact absorbing structure at angles of 60 degrees, eacharch forming half a circle.
 7. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the impactabsorbing structure comprises a plurality of perpendicularly interlockedrings that together form a spherical wireframe shape.
 8. The helmet ofclaim 1, wherein the impact absorbing structure comprises a jack shapeformed by three orthogonally intersecting bars that connect a centralpoint to faces of an imaginary cube enclosing the impact absorbingstructure.
 9. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the impact absorbingstructure comprises a circular base coupled to a circular top via aconical structure, the circular base coupled to the inner shell of thehelmet.
 10. The helmet of claim 9, wherein the conical structure has ahollow interior.
 11. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the impact absorbingstructure comprises: a base portion coupled to the inner shell of thehelmet and coupled to the outer shell of the helmet; a plurality ofsupport portions, each support portion coupled to the base portion at anangle and coupled to and to the outer shell of the helmet at anadditional angle.
 12. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the impactabsorbing member comprises: a base portion coupled to the inner shell ofthe helmet and coupled to the outer shell of the helmet; a plurality ofsupplemental portions, each supplemental portion having an end coupledto the base portion; and a plurality of support portions, each supportportion coupled to an opposing end of a corresponding supplementalportion and coupled to the outer surface of the helmet.
 13. The helmetof claim 1, wherein the impact absorbing member comprises a circularbase coupled to the inner shell of the helmet, an additional circularbase coupled to the outer shell of the helmet and having a smallerdiameter than a diameter of the circular base, and a vertical membercoupling to a circumference of the circular base to a circumference ofthe additional circular base.
 14. An apparatus comprising: an innershell; an outer shell concentric with the inner shell; and a pluralityof impact absorbing structures partially filling a volume between theinner shell and the outer shell, an impact absorbing structure having aproximal end contacting the inner shell and a distal end contacting theouter shell.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the impact absorbingstructure comprises: a base portion having an end coupled to the innershell; and a plurality of branched portions, each branched portionhaving an end coupled to the outer shell of the helmet to form an anglebetween the branched portions, and each branched portion having anadditional end coupled to an additional end of the base portion oppositethe end of the base portion coupled to the inner shell.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein the angle between the branched portionsis between 30 degrees and 120 degrees.
 17. The apparatus of of claim 14,wherein the impact absorbing structure comprises two arches thatintersect perpendicular to each other at an apex of the impact absorbingstructure, each arch forming half a circle and secured to the innershell of the apparatus.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the innershell of the apparatus has an indentation aligned with a projection ofthe impact absorbing structure on the surface, the indentation having across-sectional shape corresponding to the impact absorbing structure.19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the impact absorbing structurecomprises three arches that intersect perpendicular to each other at anapex of the impact absorbing structure at angles of 60 degrees, eacharch forming half a circle.
 20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein theimpact absorbing member comprises: a base portion coupled to the innershell of the helmet and coupled to the outer shell of the apparatus; aplurality of supplemental portions, each supplemental portion having anend coupled to the base portion; and a plurality of support portions,each support portion coupled to an opposing end of a correspondingsupplemental portion and coupled to the outer surface of the apparatus.21. An apparatus comprising: an inner shell; an outer shell concentricwith the inner shell; and a plurality of impact absorbing structurespartially filling a volume between the inner shell and the outer shell,an impact absorbing structure comprising a support member having aproximal end contacting the inner shell and a distal end contacting theouter shell, an additional support member having an additional proximalend contacting the inner shell and an additional distal end contactingthe outer shell, and a connecting member coupling the support member tothe additional support member.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, whereinthe connecting member comprises a rectangular structure perpendicular tothe inner shell and perpendicular to the outer shell.
 23. The apparatusof claim 21, wherein a proximal end of the rectangular structurecontacting the inner shell and a distal end of the rectangular structurecontacts the outer shell.
 24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein theconnecting member comprises an arched structure perpendicular to theinner shell and perpendicular to the outer shell and arched in a planeparallel to the inner shell and to the outer shell.
 25. The apparatus ofclaim 24, wherein a proximal end of the arched structure contacting theinner shell and a distal end of the arched structure contacts the outershell.
 26. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein an impact absorbingstructure comprises a structural group comprising a plurality of supportmembers positioned relative to each other and having pairs of supportmembers coupled to each other by connecting members.
 27. The apparatusof claim 26, wherein the structural group comprises a central supportmember and a plurality of radial support members positioned along acircumference of a circle having an origin of the support member and aplurality of connecting members, each connecting member coupling thecentral support member to a radial support member.
 28. The apparatus ofclaim 26, wherein the structural group comprises six support memberscoupled to each other by a plurality of connecting members to form ahexagon.